Swords of Iron

Torah scroll in memory of fallen soldier adorned with his helmet

Family and friends in Raanana dedicated a Torah scroll topped with a silver crown containing Dan Wajdenbaum’s combat helmet, honoring the fallen soldier two years on.

IDF foils terrorist threats in Gaza

Terrorists breach Gaza 'yellow line,' IDF responds.

The hope beyond the loss

Orit Mark Ettinger: All the pain that I suffered had meaning

From the depths of bereavement and pain, Orit Mark Ettinger conveys messages of strength and resilience to Jewish communities around the world, while renewing herself with greater strength.

Secular reservist: Without hesder yeshivas, there's no army

Alon Malik, a non-religious infantry reservist, defends IDF's hesder track, says attempts to harm it will deal deadly blow to IDF.

One Year Later:

IDF reveals operation to recover Oron Shaul

Approximately a year ago, the IDF and the ISA carried out Operation “Red South", a covert and precise operation through which the fallen hostage, SSGT Oron Shaul, was returned to Israel.

Trump's 'Board of Peace' hits a bump in the road

Only Hungary openly backs plan as other nations voice concern over US-led body, chaired by Trump, they say could sideline the United Nations.

Family comes full circle:

Grandfather redeemed Gaza land; great-grandson will rebuild Gaza

Real estate tycoon Yakir Gabay, a Jerusalem native and son of a former Justice Ministry official, was appointed to the executive council under President Trump’s “Peace Council" to advance Gaza’s rehabilitation.

US official: Gaza is our way or the highway

US President Donald Trump's advisers reject criticism of Board of Peace, say Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu must make a choice, Axios reports.

Released hostage:

I agreed to die in Gaza so that Israel could destroy Hamas

Hamas captivity survivor Eitan Mor expresses support for his father's position, says he refused offer to spy for Hamas

IDF and ISA eliminate senior Gaza terrorists

IDF, ISA, strike Hamas, Islamic Jihad terrorists following blatant violations of Gaza ceasefire agreement.

IDF dismantles underground tunnel route

IDF dismantles rockets, underground tunnel route, in northern Gaza.

Senior Gaza official proposes:

Dump construction waste into the sea

Ali Shaath, head of the committee managing Gaza’s affairs, announces the launch of the Strip’s reconstruction plan, which includes three stages. Completion of rebuilding may not be finished until 2040.

Lt. Col. Ran reveals: How Yahya Sinwar was eliminated

Lieutenant Colonel Ran, who commanded the ground force that eliminated Yahya Sinwar, describes the identification, the assault, and the reaction to the killing of the Hamas leader in Gaza.

In Gaza

IDF reservist severely hurt after weapon misfire

IDF says a Jerusalem Brigade reservist was severely injured in an accidental discharge in northern Gaza. He was evacuated to hospital for treatment, and his family has been notified.

PA welcomes Trump’s push for next phase of Gaza plan

PA welcomed President Trump’s efforts to advance the second phase of his peace plan for Gaza, backing a transitional administration and renewed international coordination.

IDF: Multiple rocket launchers destroyed in Gaza

IDF locates multiple rocket launchers, as Hamas continues violations of Gaza ceasefire.

National camp conference examines Gaza policy after war

MKs from Israel’s national camp gathered at a special Knesset conference to discuss political, security, and legal approaches to Gaza in the day after the war, emphasizing public resolve, national clarity, and long-term strategic leadership.

Former hostage shares powerful story he learned from the Tanya

Former hostage Eitan Mor describes how a teaching from the Tanya helped save his life in Gaza, as he joined the family of fallen hostage Ran Gvili for a special Tanya printing ceremony.

Father of fallen soldier warns:

'Hamas is rebuilding, Israel will pay a heavy price'

Itzik Bonzel warns Hamas is rebuilding, says Gaza must be resolved militarily, and voices full support for PM Netanyahu, while demanding accountability for the failures of October 7.

'We responded: Oh, cool'

How the hostages discovered that Sinwar had been eliminated

Emily Damari and Romi Gonen recount the moment they learned that the Hamas leader who orchestrated their abduction was killed by IDF troops.

Almog Cohen to Arutz Sheva:

'My hunger for revenge has still not been satisfied'

Deputy Minister Almog Cohen (Otzma Yehudit) rejects Knesset conference on Gaza's future, saying he wants to see more terrorists eliminated and Jewish settlement in the enclave.

Officers warn: Arab workers at IDF posts pose security risk

After security incidents near Gaza City, IDF officers in the area warn against employment of Arab workers at IDF posts near the border.

Live from Knesset:

Ministers and MKs present plan for Gaza’s future

Ministers and MKs publicly discuss a long-term vision for Gaza, 'Only with a clear vision for Gaza will we be able to defeat our enemies and achieve absolute victory.'

'Culture of lies'

Senior IDF officer slams former Chief of Staff

Brig. Gen. (res.) Meir Finkle says IDF investigations prioritized pleasing senior command, downplayed failures, and contributed to flawed assessments of Hamas.

Chief Rabbi of Britain:

Calling Gaza genocide trivializes the word

Britain's Chief Rabbi, Rabbi Ephraim Mirvis, denounced accusations of genocide in Gaza as being motivated only by hostility to the Jewish state.

Donate to Gazans? You may have been ripped off

Gazans are discovering that their social media influencers, who created fundraisers for 'humanitarian aid,' pocketed the donations instead of sending them to their intended destinations.

Report: Israel and Hamas preparing to renew fighting

Hamas rebuilding military capabilities, including tunnel network, as it lines its coffers, trains new terrorists, and plans for war against Israel, WSJ reports.

In one day: Hamas terrorists violate ceasefire three times

Terrorist attempts to steal IDF weapon, others threaten troops.

After failed projectile launch

IDF eliminates senior Hamas terrorists

IDF identifies senior Hamas terrorists eliminated in strikes in Gaza in the past 24 hours after a failed projectile launch toward Israel. In addition, terror infrastructure was destroyed.

IDF responds to Hamas violation of ceasefire

IDF responds to Hamas rocket launch, conducting targeted strikes on Hamas targets in northern and southern Gaza.

AFSI:

Any role for Turkey in Gaza's future would be a disaster

Pro-Israel group rejects Turkish role in Gaza, citing Erdogan’s ties to Hamas.

Ariel Sharon's son

'Hamas is still making money off Bibi'

Gilad Sharon, the son of the Prime Minister who initiated the Gaza disengagement, criticizes the claims that the Hamas attack on October 7th was a result of that withdrawal.

Hamas missile lands near hospital

Missile launched towards Israel from near Gaza City misfires, IDF strikes back.

MK: Reality cannot be that a teen is dragged under a bus

MK Tzvika Foghel, head of the National Security Committee, discusses violence in Arab society, recent ramming of haredi teen.

Hamas is getting richer - at the political echelon's directive

Data presented at security meetings shows Hamas raking in millions daily, political echelon ignoring IDF recommendations.

State Comptroller's report:

A third of Israelis not adequately protected from rocket fire

A sharp report points to severe failures during the war, including in areas such as sheltering, health, education, and mental health support.

Operational accident

Golani Brigade soldier seriously injured in southern Gaza

Soldier from the 13th Battalion seriously injured in an operational accident in southern Gaza, evacuated to hospital for treatment.

New survey:

Nearly 8 in 10 Israelis concerned by declining US support

Ruderman Family Foundation survey finds deep concern over generational shifts, Gaza war perceptions, and weakening ties, alongside strong public mandate to invest in young Jewish engagement.

Despite ceasefire: Hamas rebuilding military capacity in Gaza

IDF identifies three main channels through which Hamas is rebuilding its military capabilities, in violation of the ceasefire agreement.

Last hostage's mother:

'Don't rebuild Gaza before Rani comes home'

Talik Gvili demands a halt to all progress in Gaza until her son is returned. Minister Smotrich vows, 'We will not open Rafah until Ran comes back.'

Report:

Israel agrees to establish a managing committee for Gaza

Senior Palestinian Authority and Egyptian officials are discussing implementation of the second phase of the ceasefire agreement and reopening the Rafah crossing in both directions.

2 KM of tunnel routes destroyed in the northern Gaza Strip

The Northern Gaza Brigade, in cooperation with the Yahalom Unit, dismantled a Hamas underground tunnel route, approximately two kilometers in length, in the area of Beit Lahia.

Col. Richard Kemp

'Israel's 2025 accomplisments extraordinary, confounded critics'

Former commander of the British military forces in Afghanistan speaks with Arutz Sheva about Israel's successes and failures in 2025 and looks ahead to 2026.

After October 7: Massive military exercise in southern Israel

IDF's Division 80 holds exercise simulating infiltration into communities and military bases, evacuation of injured, aerial aid, and managing command of events, implementing lessons learned from the October 7 massacre.

Haredi soldier injured in Gaza enlists as career officer

Haredi soldier Haim Treitel, who was injured by sniper fire in Gaza and now helps integrate other haredi soldiers into the IDF, signs on for career service. 'It's never enough to contribute to the State and the nation.'

Northern Gaza:

IDF takes out rocket launcher prepared in violation of ceasefire

IDF destroys Hamas shaft containing rocket launcher aimed at Sderot, which was prepared after the ceasefire.

Hamas claims it has only 'light weapons'

Senior Hamas officials claim terror group has only assault rifles and a small amount of explosive devices; intelligence indicates otherwise.

PM in Miami

Israel 'stronger than ever' after Gaza war

Prime Minister Netanyahu addresses JNS event at "The Shul of Bal Harbour" in Miami, telling US Jews not to 'lower your heads' in the face of rising antisemitism.

Netanyahu:

'Israel has come out stronger than ever before'

Speaking in Surfside, Florida, PM Netanyahu says Israel is “stronger than ever,” urges Jews to “fight back” against antisemitism, and vows to return the last hostage from Gaza.

IDF Chief in south:

'We will not allow Hamas to rebuild'

Zamir calls 2026 a decisive year, outlines new security boundary along the Yellow Line.

After two years:

Hostages Families Forum concludes operations

The Hostages and Missing Families Forum, created immediately after the October 7th Massacre, has ended its work, but stressed: 'Our mission will not be complete until Ran Gvili returns for burial in Israel."

Chief of Staff: In 2026, we'll implement lessons from the war

IDF Chief of Staff Eyal Zamir speaks at Ground Forces' conference, promises coming year will see improved readiness, integrating lessons from October 7th massacre, and supporting both reserve and career service members.

IDF summarizes 2025

From elimination of Mohammed Sinwar to senior Iranian officials

IDF summarizes 2025: Around 21,000 strikes and the elimination of senior leaders from Hamas, Hezbollah, and the Iranian regime.

The cry of Rani’s father: Don't say 'may God avenge his blood'

Itzik Gvili, father of Rani who was abducted to Gaza, recounts meetings with Trump: “We believe he will return.”

The dramatic intel presented to Trump

Prime Minister Netanyahu told President Trump that Hamas is holding some 60,000 Kalashnikov rifles in Gaza, stressing that disarmament is a prerequisite for any civilian rehabilitation.

Rise in suicide rates:

IDF reports 151 soldier deaths in 2025

The Israel Defense Forces released its 2025 casualty report, and expands mental health programs and resilience initiatives to support soldiers during and after service.

Heavy rains expose Hamas terror tunnel near Gaza border

Heavy rains caused a ground collapse in northern Gaza, leading Golani Brigade troops to uncover a Hamas terror tunnel about 800 meters from the Israeli border that had previously gone undetected.

IDF Chief to senior commanders:

'The IDF must learn its lessons from the war'

Senior commanders reviewed October 7 war inquiries, multi-year planning and readiness measures as the IDF moves to implement lessons learned.

Months later

Hamas admits military leaders eliminated

For the first time, Hamas has admitted the elimination of its military spokesperson Abu Obaida and the deaths of other senior figures within the organization's leadership, including Raed Saad and Mohammad Sinwar.

Pollard to Arutz Sheva:

Polls are wrong, Israelis want to return to Gaza

In an Arutz Sheva interview at the Knesset, Jonathan Pollard says Israelis favor resettling Gaza, urging decisive leadership and an Israel-first policy on security.